As we already discussed, cute mechanical keyboards have become very popular due to their unique style of typing. They are designed to require more pressings down and force to type, which helps tone your hands and muscles in your fingers.
Many people believe that it is easier to pick up this keyboard style by buying one at a brick-and-mortar store or online shop first and then transitioning from there. This article will talk about why this theory is false though!
You do not need to spend lots of money on a mechanical keyboard to get the same benefits they offer. In fact, you can make your own with just some basic tools! That being said, let’s take a look at how to make your own mechanical keyboard here!
Mechanical Keyboard – The Inside Story
The components of a mechanical keyboard are crucial to its functioning. These parts include: switches, keycaps, membrane, and buckling springs. Let’s go through each one of these and what they do so you know the difference between them!
Switches
A switch is an element in a mechanical keyboard that allows you to type. There are two main types: direct input (DIP) switches and matrix/split-beam switches.
Direct Input Switches (DIP) use individual contacts to recognize typed letters. Most commonly seen are topre DIP switches and cherry red DIP switches.
Some studies have shown that they are
Recent research suggests that using mechanical keyboards may actually be bad for your hands. Technically known as tactile-click switches, these keyboards feel good to type on!
Mechanical keyboards use spring loaded keys that require some pressure to activate. This gives you more precise feeling buttons, but can cause long term health issues for your hand.
Overly sensitive touch sensors in your fingers can create problems if you’re not careful with them. For example, repeated exposure to high levels of iron can result in blood being thickened which can lead to heart or circulatory disease.
Luckily, there are ways to mitigate this risk. Use lighter weights (we mean weight here in terms of number of clicks, not grams!), use higher densities of switch types, and exercise control over how much pressure is needed to press down on each key.
Some have found that they are the same
Many people these days use keyboards as their main tool to do work from word processing, emailing, gaming, and more. With technology moving at such a quick pace, one must be careful of how much time you spend typing with your hands!
One area where some say mechanical keyboards may not be the best is in terms of overall health and wellness. Some claim that it can hurt your hand or wrist due to the need to press down harder on each key as opposed to having fluid motion only when needed.
This could also cause stress on certain joints in your fingers and wrists which can lead to long term issues. This is why some suggest using low-cost vertical board style keyboards instead. These allow for easier re-positioning of your hands so there is less chance of injury caused by overextension.
Here are some tips for choosing a keyboard
When deciding which mechanical keyboard is best for you, first consider your typing style. Do you type fast with large amounts of text? Or do you take longer to write more succinctly?
Some professional typists prefer using older-style computer keyboards that have larger keys and fewer features, due to their heavier touch-typing experience. This way, they feel more connected to the keyboard as it helps them develop muscle memory.
However, newer technology allows for thinner keyboards with additional features. By having lighter weight, faster typed individuals may find themselves needing to re-train their hands to use the new keyboard! That could be a disadvantage if you want to stick with this product.
You should also look into how easy it will be to change keyboards. Some manufacturers make switching out the same keycap or switch very simple so users don’t need to worry about losing their edge when swapping out the parts.
Look for a quality brand
There are two main types of mechanical keyboards: switch-type and membrane-style. Switch type require you to press down on certain keys to activate them, while with membrane keyboards you use a touchpad or membrane layer that covers most of the keyboard to trigger activation.
The best mechanically designed keyboards have an array of key switches that all work together to give you optimal typing speed and accuracy. Each switch has its own unique feel and function to it.
Mechanical keyboards are also more durable than solid state ones as they rely on individual switches and components for functionality. This is why some people still use old-fashioned typewriters!
However, not everyone enjoys using mechanical keyboards due to their size and shape. Some users find it difficult to type comfortably due to how close some layouts are to your fingers. The distance between each key can cause hand fatigue in the long run.
This article will talk about why mechanical keyboards are better for your hands and some brands that stand out. But first, let’s take a look at what makes a good mechanical keyboard.
Pay attention to the quality of the switches
The price difference between each type of switch is often determined by which materials are used to make them. Higher cost keyboards will usually have heavier use plastic covers or leather sleeves, more durable plastics, and/or metal cases.
Mechanical switches are made out of very thin layers of conductive material. As such, they are very sensitive to dirt and debris. These switches also require slightly more pressure to activate so their feel can be softer.
[Something you should know about us here at Life in Labels!] We love mechanical keyboards! That’s why we invested in our own personal collection.
We wanted to try as many different types as possible to see if there was one that fit us best. After experimenting with several, we found that the Tactile Switch works great for us.
Check the maximum force of the keyboard
The last major factor to consider when deciding whether or not to choose a mechanical keyboard is the max pressure it can handle before failing. How much pressure you can withstand depends on several things, such as how thick the keycaps are, what kind of switch each key uses, and just plain old personal strength.
Most professional typists will attest that their best hand has at least become slightly weaker due to constant use. When switching to a new style keyboard, try out both types to see which one feels better for your hands!
Typing with very light pressure usually helps people who have overworked muscles in their fingers. This is because your body gets used to having heavy pressure and then being without it, so it learns to function without it.
Test the keyboard by pressing all the keys
This is an easy way to determine if there are any bad keyboards is by trying them out! Simply press each key on the keyboard as quickly and thoroughly as you can without making a sound or feeling too hard.
Some of the more expensive mechanical keyboards will have quieter clicks, but they are also much heavier. If this makes you feel uncomfortable then do not use these types of keyboards.
Luckily, most normal computer keyboards make enough noise that anyone could tell if one was fake or not. It may be difficult at first to find a good quality mechanical keyboard though since there are so many different models with different designs.
Overall, it does not matter which type of mechanical keyboard you pick unless you are very sensitive to extra vibrations. Most people are not so having a new mechanical keyboard should have no effect on how your typing works.
Is there a repair service?
While cute mechanical keyboards have become very popular, they can be expensive! If you need to fix or upgrade your keyboard, there are professional services that offer quality repairs. Most of these companies will charge around $20-30 per key, which is typically less than half the price of buying new!
For example, the top brand of switch here will cost you about $25 each depending on how many keys you have. By going into an office supply store or online shop, you can usually find them for much cheaper!
There are also some sites and videos with tips and tricks on how to do this yourself, but we would not suggest trying it unless you know what you’re doing first!
General typing websites and forums contain lots of helpful information as well. You may even be able to visit the manufacturer’s website to see if there is any kind of customer support.
